Chilean Deputy Leandro Kunstmann of the Republican Party has dismissed an apology from Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh) Rector Egon Montecinos as "insufficient." The lawmaker's criticism follows the resurfacing of controversial comments made by the university official five years ago.
Montecinos recently addressed past remarks made during a podcast appearance. In those recordings, he referred to members of the Republican Party as "stupid" and expressed a desire that the party would lack representation in elected offices.
Kunstmann characterized the Rector's past statements as the words of a "political activist" rather than a university leader. The Deputy's comments follow a period of heightened tension at the university following an assault on Science Minister Ximena Lincolao last Wednesday.
Sanctions demanded for attack on Minister
The attack on Lincolao occurred as the Minister was leaving the university's academic year inauguration ceremony. The Regional Prosecutor's Office of Los Ríos is currently investigating the physical aggression.
Montecinos has already testified before the Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident. He also confirmed that he sent a letter of apology to regional Republican Party authorities following the event.
Kunstmann rejected the gesture, demanding that the university administration take decisive action against those involved in the assault. The Deputy called for the dismissal of staff members and the expulsion of students identified in the attack.
The lawmaker issued an ultimatum, stating that the Rector must step down if he cannot guarantee that sanctions will be applied. Kunstmann argued that the university leadership must demonstrate that such violent behavior will not be tolerated.
The Deputy emphasized the need to protect the institution's reputation. He noted that the university is currently working to resolve a period of significant economic crisis and must avoid further damage to its public image.
